Rajinikanth's spiritual plank not for 'Dravidian cradle' Tamil Nadu: Stalin Edit

Asked if Rajinikanth sought the DMK's support, he said such things could be decided only during elections

DMK working president M K Stalin has said Tamil Nadu was the cradle of the Dravidian movement, where there was no place for spiritual politics as enunciated by superstar Rajinikanth.

He made the remark just after the top star called on his father and DMK chief M Karunanidhi at his residence here, days after announcing his entry into politics.

Citing Rajinikanth's assertion of "spiritual politics", Stalin told reporters here yesterday that Tamil Nadu was the cradle of the Dravidian movement.

"Some are creating an impression that Rajinikanth is to launch a party at the instigation of people who intend to decimate the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu.

"Let me tell you this is the land of Periyar Anna (Dravidar Kazhagam founder E V Ramasamy Periyar) and Kalaignar (Karunanidhi)... such efforts in the past have ended in a fiasco," he said.

Asked if Rajinikanth sought the DMK's support, he said such things could be decided only during elections.

Announcing his political debut on December 31 last year, Rajinikanth batted for honesty in politics and good governance.

He said "everything needs to be changed" and declared that "spiritual politics" needs to be ushered in with transparency, sans shades of any caste or religion.

Stalin said the actor calling on Karunanidhi was nothing new and that he had called on the nonagenarian leader some months ago to enquire about his health.

Actor Vijayakanth too had called on Karunanidhi and sought his blessings before launching his party, the DMK leader said. (more)

Oppo to set up Rs 2,200-cr smartphone manufacturing unit in Greater Noida

Domestic smartphone maker is looking to begin export of phones made in India in the next 2-3 years

Smartphone maker Oppo Mobiles is planning to invest around Rs 2,200 crore in India for a mobile phone manufacturing facility. The proposed investment will be at Greater Noida.

The company has submitted documents related to the proposed project to the Environment Ministry and said that the net amount required for the establishment of the second unit in Uttar Pradesh includes land as well as development costs.

The project is expected to be a self-sufficient manufacturing establishment, spreading across an area of 110.04 acres.

In its response to a set of questions posed by the Business Standard, Oppo said its other assembly unit in Noida, which began production in July 2016, has reached full capacity and plans were being firmed up for the setting up of a Surface Mount Technology (SMT) manufacturing facility at Greater Noida in the state.

Also Read : Honor Holly 4 smartphone launched in India at Rs 11,999

An SMT unit produces printed circuit boards of an electronic device on which various circuits are embedded that allow the basic functioning of the device.

At present, most companies, assemble phones from semi-knocked down (SKD) mobile phone modules or kits. SMT is part of the completely knocked down (CKD) phase of assembling, wherein a handset-maker imports individual components in a CKD form and assembles them in India. This takes manufacturing a step up from SKD.

In the next 2-3 years, in line with company's plan, Oppo will begin exporting phones manufactured in India to West Asia, North Africa and other South Asian markets. Currently, the products are offered restricted to Indian consumers. (more)

More job cuts in India? Cognizant to expand local hiring in US

Firm to prune domestic costs through initiatives such as voluntary separation

Cognizant Technology Solutions plans to sharply increase local hiring in the US this year with increased demand for co-innovation and on-site presence from clients. The Nasdaq-listed technology services major said it would look at talent across local community colleges to big management universities to man different projects in the US.

Last month, when the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services opened the window for applications, Cognizant applied for "less than half" H1B visas compared with last year.

"We are evolving our workforce and delivery in the United States. Cognizant hired 4,000 US citizens in 2016, and in 2017 and beyond, we expect to significantly ramp up our US based workforce by hiring experienced professionals in the open market and by making more use of university programmes. We are shifting our workforce largely in response to clients' increasing need for co-innovation. But we still seek visas for highly-specialised and skilled talent...We expect to further reduce our need for these visas going forward. As part of our shift, we continue to expand our US delivery centres," Rajeev Mehta, President, Cognizant told analysts on Friday.

At the same time, the company has taken up initiatives such as the voluntary separation package, which was announced last week, for senior employees to optimise costs.

"We are looking for opportunities to further optimise cost structures...We just launched earlier this week a voluntary separation package that programme will go till the end of Q2 and we will see the benefit of that in Q3," said Karen McLoughlin, chief financial officer, Cognizant. Read more

Ind vs ENG: विराट कोहली की कप्‍तानी में टीम इंडिया ने तोड़ा जीत का 29 साल पुराना रिकॉर्ड

भारत ने इंग्‍लैंड को चेन्‍नई टेस्‍ट में एक पारी और 75 रन से हरा दिया है। इस जीत के साथ ही टीम इंडिया ने पांच टेस्‍ट की सीरीज 4-0 से जीत ली।

भारत ने इंग्‍लैंड को चेन्‍नई टेस्‍ट में एक पारी और 75 रन से हरा दिया है। इस जीत के साथ ही टीम इंडिया ने पांच टेस्‍ट की सीरीज 4-0 से जीत ली। भारत ने लगातार दूसरे टेस्‍ट में इंग्‍लैंड को पारी से हराया है। चेन्‍नई टेस्‍ट बिना हारे भारत का लगातार 18वां टेस्‍ट मैच है। यह नया रिकॉर्ड है। इससे पहले भारत ने 29 साल पहले लगातार 17 टेस्‍ट मैच बिना हारे खेले थे। विराट कोहली की कप्‍तानी में सितम्‍बर 2015 के बाद से भारत ने लगातार पांचवीं टेस्‍ट सीरीज जीती है। इस विजयी रथ में खास बात यह भी है कि भारत ने एक भी मैच नहीं हारा है। यहां तक देश हो या विदेश किसी भी जगह पर कोई भी टीम सितम्‍बर 2015 के बाद से भारत को टेस्‍ट में हरा नहीं पाई हैं। भारत ने इस दौरान दक्षिण अफ्रीका, वेस्‍ट इंडीज, न्‍यूजीलैंड को हराया है। इससे पहले भारत ने श्रीलंका को 2-1 से हराया था।

चेन्‍नई टेस्‍ट में इंग्‍लैंड ने टॉस जीतकर पहले खेलते हुए मोईन अली (146) की शतकीय पारी के बूते 477 रन बनाए थे। इसके जवाब में भारत ने करुण नायर(303 नाबाद) और केएल राहुल (199) के शतकों के बूते 7 विकेट पर 759 रन बनाकर पारी घोषित कर दी थी। इसके जवाब में इंग्‍लैंड दूसरी पारी में 207 रन पर सिमट गया। मेहमान टीम दूसरी पारी में रवींद्र जडेजा (48-7) की गेंदबाजी के आगे घुटने टेक बैठी। इसी के साथ एंथनी डी मेलो ट्रॉफी टीम इंडिया के नाम हो गई। भारत ने साल 2008 के बाद पहली बार इंग्‍लैंड को टेस्‍ट सीरीज में हराया था। इसके बाद टीम इंडिया को लगातार तीन टेस्‍ट सीरीज में अंग्रेजों ने हराया था।

रवींद्र जडेजा को उनके शानदार कैच के लिए ‘बेस्ट कैच ऑफ द मैच’ के खिताब से नवाजा गया। वहीं नाबाद 303 रन की पारी खेलने वाले करुण नैयर को मैन ऑफ द मैच चुना गया। कप्‍तान विराट कोहली को मैन ऑफ द सीरीज चुना गया। उन्‍होंने इस सीरीज में 655 रन बनाए, जिसमें एक दोहरा शतक भी शामिल है। 22 टेस्‍ट मैच के बाद सबसे ज्‍यादा जीत के मामले में कोहली दुनिया में तीसरे नंबर पर आ गए हैं। उनके नेतृत्‍व में टीम इंडिया ने अभी तक 14 टेस्‍ट जीतेेहैं। वे इंग्‍लैंड के माइकल वॉन, मार्क ब्रेयरली और एल हेसेट के बराबर हैुंं। यह रिकॉर्ड ऑस्‍ट्रेलिया के स्‍टीव वॉ के नाम हैं जिन्‍होंने 17 मैच जीते थे।

Photos : India beat England by an innings and 36 runs

India take very little time to pick remaining four England wickets, and register a comprehensive innings and 36-run win over the visitors in the fourth Test at the Wankhede

The visitors failed to apply themselves and collapsed within the first 30 minute’s of the fifth and final day.

Ashwin picked another ten-wicket haul in Tests, and also took five wickets in an innings for the 24th time.

The series win is India’s fifth on the trot, under Kohli. The skipper’s incredible run with the bat, and as captain, continues.

The action will now shift to Chennai where India will play for 4-0 scoreline, and England will eye pride

Virat Kohli celebrates the wicket of England batsman Jonny Bairstow

See more pics Click Here

Rahane out of Test series, Manish Pandey called up

Ind vs Eng: Manish replaces Rahane, Shardul called in as Shami’s backup

Manish Pandey, the Karnataka batsman, has been called up to the Indian Test team as a replacement for Ajinkya Rahane for the fourth Test to be played in Mumbai starting Thursday (December 8).

Rahane was hit on the hand while practicing in the nets on Wednesday and the blow resulted in an avulsion fracture on the right index finger. The Mumbai middle-order batsman and India Test vice-captain has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against England. 

BCCI confirmed the news through a media release, saying: "Ajinkya Rahane sustained an avulsion fracture on his right index finger and has been ruled out for the remaining two Test matches of the Paytm series 2016 against England. A ball stuck Rahane during the practice session today." 

Rahane has not had the best of series thus far, with a top score of 26 in five innings so far, but his injury will still come as a big blow for the Indian side which has already suffered some injury setbacks. 

Their pace spearhead, Mohammed Shami is a doubt for the Test, too, and a back-up in the form of Mumbai pacer Shardul Thakur has been called up. Shami has been suffering from a sore knee and a call on whether he can play in Mumbai will be taken on the eve of the Test.

"Mumbai medium pacer Shardul Thakur has been called as back up for India pacer Mohammed Shami, who is nursing a sore knee. The BCCI medical team is closely monitoring his progress and a decision on his participation will be taken before the start of the fourth Test match," the BCCI release said. 

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India aim to extend winning run in fourth Test vs England (Preview)

India-England Test match in Chennai in balance post Jayalalithaa's death

How did Jayalalithaa enter politics from film industry?

1964- Jayalalithaa makes her film debut in a lead role in 'Chinnada Gombe' a Kannada film. To support her debt-ridden family, Jayalalithaa gives us on her dreams of becoming a lawyer and plunges into the film industry.

1965- Jayalalithaa's Tamil film debut comes in the landmark blockbuster hit, 'Venniraadai'. In the same year, she stars in a film, 'Aayirathil Oruvan', with Tamil cinema's biggest star MG Ramachandran (MGR) for the first time, to begin what remains among the most successful screen pairings in Tamil cinema, as well as one of the most critical relationships in her life.

1965 - 1980 -This was the peak of Jayalalithaa's film career. She was among the highest-paid actresses in the country at the time, and endorsed top brands. In this period, she acted in over 140 films, of which about 120 were blockbuster hits.

1970 - Jayalalithaa has a falling out with MGR, after he chooses to work with another leading lady.

1971 - Jayalalithaa's mother Sandhya dies.

1973 - She stars in a movie with MGR for the last time, in 'Pattikaattu Ponnaiya', a year after he split from the DMK to launch the AIADMK.

1977 - Jayalalithaa steps back from films.

1980 - Jayalalithaa stars in a Tamil movie, 'Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal', for the last time. Her last film in a leading role however was the Telugu film 'Nayakudu Vinayakudu'.

1981 - Jayalalithaa revives relationship with MGR.

1982 - Jayalalithaa joins MGR's AIADMK and soon after delivers her maiden political speech at the party conference.

1983- She is appointed the AIADMK's propaganda secretary.

1984 - She is elected to the Rajya Sabha, as MGR wants her there for her fluency in English and knowledge of several languages. She remains a member of the Rajya Sabha till 1989. She becomes a key campaigner for the AIADMK as the party wins a massive election victory despite MGR remaining hospitalized through the campaigning. Her rising prominence irks senior hands in the party. Her attempt to be named interim CM also does not go well with MGR.

1986 - MGR sacks Jayalalithaa from all party posts after she forms a parallel political outfit. However, she continues as Rajya Sabha member of the AIAMDK.

1987 - MGR dies, leaving no clear political heir. AIADMK descends into chaos over his legacy. Jayalalithaa competes with his widow Janaki for control of the party. The party splits into two major factions, one behind each woman.

1989 - The Assembly election saw the Jayalalithaa faction win 27 seats to the Janaki faction's two. Janaki steps aside to clear the way for Jayalalithaa's accession to MGR's legacy. Jayalalithaa becomes Tamil Nadu's first woman Leader of Opposition. During the budget session, she s assaulted in the Assembly Hall and a senior DMK leader attempts to disrobe her. She vows she will not return except as Chief Minister.

1991 -Allied with the Congress, and rocketed by the sympathy wave following the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, Jayalalithaa storms to power as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time.

Live: Jlithaa laidayala to rest next to her mentor MGR at Marina Beach

Live: PM Modi pays last respect to Jayalalithaa, consoles Sasikala, Panneerselvam

People gather in huge number at Rajaji Hall to pay their last respect to Jayalalithaa

13:40: Narendra Modi leaves Rajaji Hall.

13:33: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays last respect to Jayalalithaa, consoles Sasikala, Panneerselvam.

13:31: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam breaks down in front of Narendra Modi.

13:25: At least one million queue up at Rajaji Hall in Chennai to get a last glimpse of Jayalalithaa

13:18: BSP Chief Mayawati to attend Jayalalithaa's funeral

13:12: Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu): Supporters shave their heads in mourning after the demise of#JJayalalithaa pic.twitter.com/hrhWYrgAoU

13:08: Jayalalithaa was an iron lady. An amazing woman and a great leader. Connect she had with people was unprecedented. It is a huge loss: Shatrughan Sinha

13:04 PM: President Pranab Mukherjee has left Delhi for Chennai to pay last tributes to Jayalalithaa, who passed away on Monday.

12:59: Tamil Nadu: PM Modi arrives in Chennai to pay last tributes to #JJayalalithaa who passed away yesterday pic.twitter.com/TKjc3Adt4T

11:38: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrive in Chennai soon to pay his last respect and tributes to one of his political friends J Jayalalithaa

11:27: Jayalalithaa was true fighter and great inspiration to many women leaders across country: TRS MP K Kavitha

11:23: India has lost one of its shining stars. Jayalalithaa ji made her mark both as an artist and as a politician. Deeply sad at her demise: Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad

Click here to watch this video

10:33: Deeply saddened at the passing away of Selvi Jayalalithaa. She has left a huge void in Indian politics. This video is my tribute to her. (more)

How Chennai floods allowed people to own a Mercedes or a Jaguar

How Chennai floods allowed people to own a Mercedes or a Jaguar: Get a Merc or Jag for one-fourth its price, as insurance companies sell off inventory of flood-damaged vehicles to cut losses

Rohith Vemula suicide: Fresh protests rocks campus, Yechury to visit

Fresh protests today rocked the Hyderabad Central University over the alleged suicide of Dalit student, Rohith Vemula, even as several politicians headed to the city including YSR Congress leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury.

A group of students carrying placards and raising slogans protested in the tense University campus this morning.

Besides Hyderabad many cities across the country including in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Chennai were rocked by protests yesterday. 

**Wipro says Chennai flood to impact revenues, margins for December quarter**

After Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro too has issued a warning saying that disruption at its Chennai facilities due to recent floods and the costs associated with subsequent invocation of business continuity plans would have a material impact on the performance of the company in the October-December quarter of FY16.

Wipro’s warning comes on the heels of a similar announcement by India’s largest IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services.

The Bengaluru-based Wipro, India’s third largest IT services company which has over 22,000 employees in Chennai across multiple centres, said it would incur a “higher one-time cost” towards deployment of business continuity plan which would not only adversely impact its revenue performance during the quarter, but also its operating margins.

“For the quarter ending December 31, 2015, the incident is expected to have a material impact on the revenues and will result in higher one-time cost incurred towards deployment of our business continuity plan. Both these factors will impact our operating margins for the quarter,” Wipro said in a statutory filing to stock exchanges on Wednesday.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, operating margins for Wipro’s IT services business stood at 20.7%.

The company also said that it expects its revenues to be in the lower half of its guidance range. For the December quarter, Wipro had said it was expecting IT services revenues to be in the range of $1,841 mn -$1,878 mn.

Last week, TCS had also issued a similar warning saying that the company was expecting material impact on its revenues in the seasonally weak December quarter due to Chennai rains.

Meanwhile, Wipro said its Chennai operations has largely been restored to normal. The company is in touch with insurance companies to assess the damage. Wipro’s share price was down 0.51% at Rs 555.75 on the BSE in early trade. 

Dilip Kumar turns 93, to have a quiet birthday

As he turns 93 today, legendary actor Dilip Kumar will have a quiet birthday celebration as a mark of solidarity towards the victims of the Chennai deluge. 

“We will have a quiet birthday this year with family only. He is saddened by the tragedy in Chennai. It’s a big tragedy and we don’t think it is right to celebrate anything,” Kumar’s wife Saira Bano told PTI. 

Even otherwise, Saira is not in favour of having a bash on the thespian’s birthday, as she feels that whenever his special day is celebrated, the veteran actor falls sick. 

“I think whenever we celebrate his birthday, he falls sick. I feel there is an evil eye, as soon after after the celebrations he has health issues,” she said. 

Dilip Kumar made his debut as an actor in the film “Jwar Bhata” in 1944 which was produced by Bombay Talkies. 

In a career spanning over six decades, he starred in films of a variety of genres, such as the romantic “Andaz” (1949), the swashbuckling Aan (1952), the dramatic “Devdas” (1955), the comical “Azaad” (1955), the historical “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960) and the social “Ganga Jamuna” (1961). 

The ‘tragedy king of Bollywood’ also did films like “Kranti” (1981), “Shakti” (1982), “Karma” (1986) and “Saudagar” (1991) and others. His last film was “Qila” (1998). 

The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan award in 1991,the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan this year for his contributions towards Indian cinema.

The Pakistan government also honoured him with its highest civilian honour - Nishan-e-Imtiaz - in 1997.